Impact of Oil Pollution (Copy)
2.5 Impact of Oil Pollution – Cheat Sheet
Causes of Oil Pollution
| Cause | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Off-shore Oil Extraction | Oil leaks/spills during drilling or rig accidents | Deepwater Horizon spill (2010, Gulf of Mexico) |
| Pipelines | Leaks or bursts release crude oil into land/water | Niger Delta pipeline leaks (Nigeria) |
| Shipping | Tanker accidents, illegal washing of tanks at sea | Exxon Valdez disaster (1989, Alaska) |
Impacts on Ecosystems
| Ecosystem/Organism | Impact | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Birds | Oil coats feathers → loss of insulation, buoyancy, flight → hypothermia/death | Seabirds after Exxon Valdez spill |
| Marine Mammals | Oil reduces insulation in fur/skin; ingestion causes poisoning | Sea otters & seals harmed in Alaska |
| Coral Reefs | Oil smothers corals, blocks sunlight, reduces reproduction | Persian Gulf reefs affected by spills |
| Beaches/Coasts | Blackened sands, loss of tourism, destruction of habitats | Gulf of Mexico beaches after 2010 spill |
| Food Chains | Toxins bioaccumulate → long-term ecosystem damage | Fish decline impacting local fisheries |
Quick Pointers
- Oil spreads rapidly on water → thin slick reduces oxygen exchange.
- Cleanup methods: dispersants, skimmers, burning, bioremediation.
- Long-lasting effects: ecosystems may take decades to recover.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course